Kingsbridge is a town in Devon in south west England.
Understand
Around the Kingsbridge Estuary lies a number of villages and small settlements such as Salcombe and Frogmore
Several of the creeks of the estuary have independent names, including Blanksmill, Frogmore, Southpool, Batson and Bowcombe Creek.
Get in
Arrive by bus from Dartmouth, or drive or cycle along the A379.
The nearest airport is Exeter Airport.
Get around
You can walk around.
See
- Overbeck's, Sharpitor, TQ8 8LW, 50.2202°, -3.78489°, +44 1548 842893, overbecks@nationaltrust.org.uk. The seaside home of inventor and scientist Otto Overbeck.
- In the village of Frogmore, you should try to visit the bridge over the creek head at sunset. The creek lies on an east-west axis and the colours and reflections on the water can make for some rather stunning images.
Do
Launch a boat at the public hard at the head of the creek.
Events
- There is a Regatta during the summer in Frogmore - around the first or second weekend in August. A variety of boat based races are followed by the race across the creek - through the tidal mud. Amusing to watch or take part in! Take part in the race across the creek at the regatta.
Buy
Eat
- @ the bakery, 50.27101°, -3.7208°, +44 1548 531236. Pasties and other assorted pastry treats from the Post office and Bakery. Frogmore pasties are a proper meal in themselves and the jam doughnuts are equally good.
- Dick and Wills, Fore Street, Salcombe TQ8 8JG, 50.2365°, -3.7666°, +44 1548 843 408, info@dickandwills.co.uk. 5PM-. Waterside Grill 2022-05-06
- Winking Prawn is a beach hut cafe on Beadon Rd just west of Salcombe Castle. It's open M-Th 09:00-19:30, F-Su 10:00-19:30.
- The Beachhouse is a cafe and takeaway on South Milton Sands, open daily 09:30-22:00.
Drink
- Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawle TQ7 2BY, 50.21503°, -3.70992°, +44 1548 511 209, contact@pigsnoseinn.co.uk. noon-3PM, 6PM-11PM, Sa noon-late, Su noon-10PM. 2022-05-06
- Victoria Inn, Fore St, Salcombe TQ8 8BU, 50.23777°, -3.76743°, +44 1548 842 604, victoriainnsalcombe@staustellbrewery.co.uk. noon-11PM. St Austell Brewery. Food served to 8:30PM (except Tu) 2022-05-06
- Salcombe Brewery is in Ledstone two miles north of Kingsbridge and offers tours.
Sleep
There are a few B&Bs in the village, one or two with very nice views of the creek that you can wake up to.
- The Globe Inn, Frogmore, 50.270962°, -3.722353°, +44 1548 531351. The Globe Inn serves a variety of decent beers, both local and exotic.
- The Henley, Folly Hill, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4AR, 50.284°, -3.886°, +44 1548 810240. Charming B&B with four rooms in Edwardian holiday home looking over the bay, dog-friendly. Open Mar-Oct, no children under 12. B&B double £150 2020-07-05
- Burgh Island Hotel, Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4BG (Tidal island, phone ahead for access advice), 50.280°, -3.898°, +44 1548 810514. Sleek Art Deco hotel on tidal island, grand dining. Open Feb-Dec, no children under 5. B&B double £200 2020-07-05
- The Cricket Inn, Beesands TQ7 2EN, 50.251°, -3.657°, +44 1548 580215. Comfy hotel with 7 rooms in fisherman's inn, good seafood. B&B double £110 2020-07-05
- Gara Rock, East Portlemouth, Salcombe TQ8 8FA, 50.221°, -3.750°, +44 1548 845946. Former coastguards' cottages, now a swish hotel and spa. B&B double £200 2020-06-29
- Plantation House, Totnes Rd, Ermington PL21 9NS (on A3121), 50.359°, -3.920°, +44 1548 831100. Contemporary hotel with 8 rooms in a Georgian rectory, great cuisine. B&B double £120 2020-06-28
- Thurlestone Hotel, Parkfield, Kingsbridge TQ7 3NN, 50.270°, -3.860°, +44 1548 560382. Hotel and spa since 1896, with its own village inn. B&B double £180 2020-08-09
Salcombe
- Harbour Beach Club, South Sands, Salcombe TQ8 8LJ (next to South Sands Hotel), 50.22471°, -3.78455°, +44 1548 233456. Posh resort hotel opening in Aug 2021. B&B double £250 2021-07-03
- Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Cliff Rd, Salcombe TQ8 8JH, 50.235220°, -3.768471°, +44 1548 844444. Upscale Victorian hotel in swish nautical style, great dining. The spa has a gym and pool. B&B double £200 2020-07-23
- Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe TQ7 3DS, 50.225°, -3.819°, +44 1548 561566. Excellent secluded hotel with good dining, dog-friendly. Open Feb-Dec. B&B double £200 2020-06-09
- South Sands, Bolt Head, Salcombe TQ8 8LL, 50.225°, -3.785°, +44 1548 845900. Welcoming upscale hotel with great cuisine and views. B&B double from £250 2020-07-23
Connect
As of July 2022, Kingsbridge and Salcombe have 4G from EE, Three and (in patches) from Vodafone, but a poor signal from O2. You'll be lucky to get any signal in coastal villages such as East Prawle. 5G has not reached this corner of Devon.
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